The next day in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, listening to Quirrell's stuttering lecture, many young wizards were zoning out. Some secretly chatted, some doodled in their notebooks, though it didn't look like they were taking notes.
Leo pondered what he'd learned from reading Identification of Dark Magic the night before. Because of his SS+ Dark Magic talent, he absorbed Dark Magic-related knowledge exceptionally fast. Even though that book only recorded the characteristics and identification methods of various Dark Magic spells, Leonardo couldn't shake a strange feeling.
The more he learned, the more he seemed able to grasp some basic Dark Magic intuitively. Though the book didn't teach specific methods, his intuition pushed him to experiment with the natural magical power flow patterns.
This feeling was extraordinary—like never having cooked before, but after tasting a dish once, being able to reverse-engineer its recipe.
Leo thought about his performance in various magical fields, increasingly feeling that the higher the talent, the more vastly different the performance in related areas. For example, Potions and Alchemy were A and A+ talents. In these areas, he could quickly learn knowledge and techniques taught by teachers or recorded in books.
But it was also difficult to break out of existing knowledge constraints. That kind of innovative inspiration could probably only accumulate through time, relying on luck. But once exceeding S-rank, the corresponding talent simply entered a new world.
Like SS-rank magical power talent, letting Leonardo at this age possess an incomprehensible amount of magical power that continued growing. As for SSS-rank Transfiguration talent, Leo could feel that once he stepped into truly profound Transfiguration territory, its effects would become even more obvious.
Whether through Animagus or through the limited magical creature transformation he'd first learned... Chimaera transformation was actually enough—biological trait fusion was sufficient to meet the debt requirements. But obviously it could be refined further.
Leonardo thought of yesterday's attempt—starting from biological skeleton and muscle to perform precise fusion transformation, not simply stacking external features, but fundamentally creating new, impossible creatures. Perhaps he could try combining living and nonliving characteristics. No matter how strong or uniquely structured some creatures' physiques were, they couldn't compare to many artificial creations.
The more Leo experimented, the more he felt the Chimaera Manual's author was definitely a genius. He'd originally thought that the ancient wizard's dissection and observation of creatures to that degree was to facilitate animal transformation. But after attempting deeper transformation fusion, he realized just how helpful that detailed biological information truly was.
He wondered what that wizard had ultimately created... Leonardo recalled a line on a certain page of the Chimaera Manual: "It's beautiful, it's my creation, it doesn't belong to this world!"
The dismissal bell rang. Young wizards quickly packed up and happily escaped this boring class.
Unlike before, Quirrell didn't leave hurriedly but instead covertly glanced at Leo. Today, he could begin using the Imperius Curse variant magic to start influencing this audacious kid.
Quirrell had already decided—during tutoring he'd lecture first, teach theoretical foundations, stalling until his curse was complete. If Leonardo proposed any magical practice during the process, he'd refuse with excuses.
Quirrell truly didn't believe a young wizard would actually attack him. Though remembering last time's magical duel practice and that eerie, mad laughter, Quirrell couldn't help trembling. But the promise he'd made to his master yesterday, and the painful, terrifying punishment that would come from failure, meant Quirrell had to proceed with the plan.
After Quirrell returned to his office and closed the door, he heard knocking.
He's here!
"Please enter."
Seeing that handsome youth with dark golden hair and emerald green eyes walk in, Quirrell put on a false smile. He wanted to quickly complete the task and eliminate this threat as soon as possible.
"Alright, today we'll discuss..."
Leo listened to Quirrell's explanation. This time he discussed Shield Charm techniques and applications. This most common protective spell was indispensable in wizard combat. Casting speed and timing were both very important—split-second differences could change everything.
But as Leonardo listened, his eyebrows furrowed slightly. A low, hoarse voice echoed in his mind. Each syllable was strange, yet Leo heard it clearly.
But this didn't make him feel anything abnormal. What was this? Magic?
Leonardo instinctively looked at Quirrell and found him still teaching normally. No, something was wrong. "Identification of Dark Magic" mentioned that some very hidden curses could be cast silently without affecting one's normal activities.
But silently? Then what about that extremely clear voice in his mind? If it was Dark Magic, a curse—wasn't this too obvious? Wasn't Quirrell blatantly telling him he was doing something wrong?
Leo slightly adjusted his posture, pulling out a brass pocket watch with his left hand while his right hand hid in his wide sleeve, secretly gripping his wand.
Seeing Leo's movement, Quirrell didn't pay much attention—just taking out a pocket watch. After all, just a naive brat. Saying he wanted tutoring, acting like he loved learning. In the end he still couldn't stand it—found it too boring?
While reciting according to the prepared script, Quirrell continued casting that Imperius Curse variant. He'd only recited less than one round—five total recitations—and this week's influence would be enough.
Leonardo's thoughts raced. Assuming the strange words were a Dark Magic curse, it was most likely the kind that influenced body and mind to control people. Unless Tom didn't want the Philosopher's Stone anymore and wanted to expose himself now, directly fighting Dumbledore.
Otherwise, he absolutely wouldn't allow Quirrell to use harmful Dark Magic on him—that would immediately expose their abnormality. Even if it was a mind control curse, it wouldn't take effect in a short time or with one casting. Such Dark Magic was certainly powerful, but those with extremely fast effects often had obvious aftereffects.
Without Dumbledore's careful observation, teachers like Professor McGonagall could detect something wrong. After following the trail, Quirrell and company would still be completely exposed.
Leo rubbed the watch cover, seemingly ready to flip it open at any moment. If it was a control-type Dark Magic with relatively inconspicuous traces, it often required multiple castings on the target to ultimately affect body and mind.
But he hadn't heard that strange voice during last tutoring session. Had Quirrell not had time to use it then, or had he not known this magic at that time? Moreover, he could hear that voice—not just hear it, but hear it very clearly and obviously.
Dark Magic... Leonardo instantly connected this to his Dark Magic talent. Did this talent not only bring Dark Magic resistance, reducing the effects he'd receive when using Dark Magic, but also increase sensitivity to Dark Magic?
No, not just sensitivity. Now it was like someone personally demonstrating a Dark Magic to Leo. Unlike only being able to read books without seeing specific methods, Leonardo followed his intuition, wanting to mimic those strange syllables in his mind.
Magical power naturally surged toward his throat and tongue, bringing unique vibrations.
Quirrell's explanation was about to conclude. He was secretly pleased because he was about to finish reciting the first round of the curse. And that brat Leo still remained very quiet and obedient, not proposing to practice Shield Charms with him.
Quirrell suppressed a smile, preparing to continue reciting the next round of the curse. But suddenly, an extremely subtle voice rang in his mind: "heviods~yieyss~mowam..."
This voice was very noisy and blurred. Quirrell instinctively wanted to hear it clearly. But the more Quirrell listened, the more familiar it seemed. The more he listened, the more it seemed like the Dark Magic curse he'd been practicing these past days!
"Click!"
Quirrell heard a crisp sound from the real world. Looking toward the source, he saw Leo flip open his pocket watch cover, seemingly wanting to check the time.
But Leonardo stared at him with a half-smile, those emerald eyes showing a trace of cold abyss. Leo didn't open his mouth to speak.
But the voice echoing in Quirrell's mind became increasingly clear. Though still subtle and hard to detect, Quirrell could almost hear it clearly: "Professor, may I ask—are you trying to teach me this magic?"